MLB notes: Talks on for Beckett, Dempster

Boston Red Sox's Josh Beckett (L) and catcher Kelly Shoppach talk on the mound during the second inning during an American League MLB baseball game against Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts July 20, 2012. (REUTERS)

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QMI Agency

Jul 30, 2012

, Last Updated: 7:27 PM ET

Right-handers Josh Beckett of the Boston Red Sox and Ryan Dempster of the Chicago Cubs are among other starting pitchers on the trade block.

The Texas Rangers are said to be interested in Beckett, perhaps as a backup plan should they not be able to make a deal with the Philadelphia Phillies for Cliff Lee. The Red Sox also have talked with the Braves, sources said, but Atlanta is more interested in left-hander Jon Lester, according to MLB.com.

Beckett, 32, is 5-9 with a 4.57 ERA. He is slated to make $15.75 million each of the next two seasons.

Dempster, 35, initially was set to pitch Monday night but the Cubs gave the starting assignment to Justin Germano instead. That was meant as a deal-sweetener, the Chicago Tribune reported, allowing Dempster to see action right away with his new team.

The Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers have renewed talks, with outfielder Alfonso Soriano now included in a package with Dempster, ESPN Chicago reported.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum said Monday he'd be surprised if Dempster were still a member of the Cubs after the trade deadline.

BREWERS POINT FINGER

The Milwaukee Brewers have dismissed bullpen coach Stan Kyles in the wake of a bullpen meltdown.

Kyles had been with the Brewers organization since 2001 and bullpen coach since after the 2008 season.

Brewers relievers are 15-26 with a 4.80 ERA. They have the most blown saves (20) in the majors and are 28th in ERA. On Sunday, the bullpen gave up nine runs over five innings of in an 11-inning 11-10 loss to the Washington Nationals.

"Something had to be done," Kyles told the Milwaukee Sentinel Journal. "I understood it perfectly, the way the bullpen has performed most of the year and especially the last couple, three weeks have been pretty bad."

BRIEFLY

The Oakland A's have talked about acquiring shortstop Stephen Drew from the Arizona Diamondbacks, ESPN reported Monday ... David Ortiz has felt pain in his injured right heel and is unlikely to return to the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday when he is eligible to return from the disabled list. Ortiz told ESPN Deportes that he would resume baseball activities Tuesday at the earliest. The 36-year-old designated hitter strained his right Achilles tendon July 16 while rounding the bases. He is hitting .316 this season with 23 homers and 48 RBI ... - The trophy the Red Sox won for their 1912 World Series is going up for auction Thursday in Baltimore. "I loved having this in my living room," said Robert Fraser, 52, who has owned the trophy since 2007. It's estimated value is $300,000 ... The Miami Marlins have demoted pitcher Carlos Zambrano to the bullpen. The right-hander has a 5-9 record with a 4.54 ERA.